People are annoyed Meghan Markle keeps cradling her baby bump -- but there's a reason why she keeps doing it

Ever since the palace announced the news of the Duchess of Sussex's pregnancy, a majority of her public appearances have been filled with photos of her resting her hand on her stomach, cradling her baby bump.

It's a habit she's adopted since the pregnancy news broke during the royal tour of Australia in October -- and most noticeably, at Monday night's Fashion Awards where she was seen affectionately cupping her growing belly.

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Duchess Meghan's baby bump

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Duchess Meghan's baby bump

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Smart Works on January 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. Smart Works is one of the four organisations which she has become Royal Patron of, it was announced by Kensington Palace today. The three other organisations are The National Theatre, The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Mayhew. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, chats with Patsy Wardally as they pick out clothes, during her visit to Smart Works, a charity to which she has become patron, at St Charles hospital in west London on January 10, 2019. (Photo by CLODAGH KILCOYNE / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CLODAGH KILCOYNE/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex (L), picks out a necklace with Chair of Smart Works Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett (R) during her visit to Smart Works, a charity to which she has become patron, at St Charles hospital in west London on January 10, 2019. (Photo by CLODAGH KILCOYNE / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CLODAGH KILCOYNE/AFP/Getty Images)

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty Images)

The Duchess of Sussex arrives for a visit to the Royal Variety CharityÕs residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House, in Twickenham, west London. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) visits the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, south west London on December 18, 2018. - The honeymoon period for former actress and newly-minted British royal Meghan Markle, it seems, is over. Six months on from her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, Meghan is faced with a daily barrage of tabloid headlines criticising her courtly manner and warning her against becoming 'Duchess Difficult'. (Photo by Geoff PUGH / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF PUGH/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex unveils a plaque to commemorate her visit to the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, south west London on December 18, 2018. - The honeymoon period for former actress and newly-minted British royal Meghan Markle, it seems, is over. Six months on from her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, Meghan is faced with a daily barrage of tabloid headlines criticising her courtly manner and warning her against becoming 'Duchess Difficult'. (Photo by Geoff PUGH / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF PUGH/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Rosamund Pike on stage during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Rosamund Pike on stage to present the British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Hubb Community Kitchen to see how funds raised by the 'Together: Our Community Cookbook' are making a difference at Al Manaar, North Kensington on November 21, 2018 in London, England. Together: Our Community Cookbook features over 50 recipes from women whose community was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Hubb Community Kitchen in London on November 21, 2018 to celebrate the success of their cookbook. - The kitchen was set up by women affected by the Grenfell tower fire and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wrote a foreword to the cookbook to help raise funds for the victims. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 19 : (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends The Royal Variety Performance 2018 at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 19 : (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Royal Variety Performance 2018 at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 11: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a service to mark the centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. The Armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiègne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - 11am on the 11th November 1918. This day is commemorated as Remembrance Day with special attention being paid for this year's centenary. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 31: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Auckland War Memorial Museum for reception with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meeting fans and holding baby bump on the street during 'Walkabout' on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex seen wlaking holding baby bump whilst Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the 'Walkabout' on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry (C) and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) talk to a model wearing a garment from World of WearableArt during a visit to Courtney Creative in Wellington on October 29, 2018. - Prince Harry passed on greetings from 'our little bump' to conservation workers in New Zealand on October 29 when he and pregnant wife Meghan toured a South Island nature reserve. (Photo by HAGEN HOPKINS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HAGEN HOPKINS/AFP/Getty Images)

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 28: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Official arrival at the Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 26: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Standing with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÔu TukuÔaho of Tonga at the farewell with His Majesty King Tupou VI on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at Nuku'alofa airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrive at Fua'amotu airport in Tonga on October 25, 2018. - Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan left Fiji after a three-day official visit and arrived in Tonga as part of their tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Consular House in NukuÕalofa for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÕu on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for their farewell ceremony at Nadi airport on October 25, 2018. - Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan leave Fiji after a three-day official visit and head to Tonga as part of their tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 24: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits a market on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a state dinner hosted by the president of the South Pacific nation Jioji Konrote at the Grand Pacific Hotel on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

SUVA, SUVA - OCTOBER 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex meet with President of Fiji Jioji Konrote on the first day of their tour to Fiji on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Duchess of Sussex meets members of the public during a walkabout in Rotorua in Rotorua, New Zealand, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on the final day of their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP)

FRASER ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2018. Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand over their 16-day trip to the Pacific region. (Phil Noble/PA via AP)

Even before the awards show, Twitter users were quick to call out Meghan's tendencies, but Monday night reaffirmed how critical social media users are when comes to the first time mother's habits. "We know you’re pregnant, stop cradling your bump it’s not going to fall off.." said one user.

"Why can't she just stand normal, in particular at official occasions? She is just constantly showing off and this is really disgusting and repelling..." said another.

Yes, all that baby bump-overdoing thing is tiring... Why can't she just stand normal, in particular at official occasions? She is just constantly showing off and this is really disgusting and repelling...#MeghanMarkle#BritishFashionAwards

While many rushed to her defense, calling for her to be proud of the "blessing," there may be a specific reason the duchess keeps touching her belly. Her gestures "will have a profound effect on her baby," explained Katherine Graves, founder of KG hypnobirthing.

'It’s a positive thing for both mum and baby to touch and reassure baby, which is vital for babies bonding and well being, staving off postnatal depression and facilitating healthy connection for all," she said.

She continued,"It has been shown time and time again that babies recognise what they have experienced in the womb after they are born."

RELATED: Meghan's style moments this year:

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Duchess Meghan's best style moments in 2018

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Duchess Meghan's best style moments in 2018

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 18: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle holds Prince Harry's hand as they visit Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 01: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle attends the 'Endeavour Fund Awards' Ceremony at Goldsmiths' Hall on February 1, 2018 in London, England. The awards celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Photo by: KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2018 2/13/18 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva on February 28, 2018 in London, England. Under the theme 'Making a Difference Together', the event will showcase the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry depart after visiting Nechells Wellbeing Centre on March 8, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 23: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry depart after visiting the iconic Titanic Belfast during their trip to Northern Ireland on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry's fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle attends a reception with delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Forum in central London on April 18, 2018, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM). / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Yui Mok (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry's fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle, attends a reception for Women's Empowerment at the Royal Aeronautical Society in central London, on the fourth day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on April 19, 2018. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry and his US fiancee Meghan Markle attend The Queen's Birthday Party concert on the occassion of Her Majesty's 92nd birthday at the Royal Albert Hall in London on April 21, 2018. (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle attends the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the 25th Anniversary Memorial Service to celebrate the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields on April 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Anzac Day commemorates Australian and New Zealand casualties and veterans of conflicts and marks the anniversary of the landings in the Dardanelles on April 25, 1915 that would signal the start of the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Meghan Markle attends an Anzac Day dawn service at Hyde Park Corner on April 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by GC Images)

US actress and fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle arrives with her mother Doria Ragland (not pictured) at Cliveden House hotel in the village of Taplow near Windsor on May 18, 2018, the eve of her wedding to Britain's Prince Harry. - Britain's Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. (Photo by STEVE PARSONS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read STEVE PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 19: Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 09: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex travel down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

CHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II depart Chester Town Hall, where they attended lunch as guests of Chester City Council on June 14, 2018 in Chester, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair opened a road bridge in Widnes and visited The Storyhouse in Chester. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 19: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, right, delivers a speech and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex applauds as they attend the 'Your Commonwealth' Youth Challenge reception where they will meet youngsters from across the Commonwealth, at Marlborough House in London, Thursday July 5, 2018. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1O: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wearing a dark navy Dior dress and a hat by milliner Stephen Jones, attend a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex arrive to meet with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, right, at government buildings in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The Royal couple arrived in the Irish capital for a two day visit. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex arrives with Prince Harry to meet Ireland's President Michael Higgins at Aras an Uactharain, on the second day of the Royal couple's visit to Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday July 11, 2018. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP)

DUBLIN, SCOTLAND - JULY 11: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Famine Memorial on the bank of the River Liffey during their visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a reception at Glencairn, the residence of Robin Barnett, the British Ambassador to Ireland during day one of their visit to Ireland on July 10, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

FRENSHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 04: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks on August 4, 2018 in Frensham, United Kingdom. Prince Harry attended the same prep school as Charlie van Straubenzee and have been good friends ever since. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speak with writer Lin Manuel Miranda and others from Sentibale as they attend a gala performance of 'Hamilton' in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre on August 29, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the WellChild Awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 4, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the '100 Days of Peace' concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War at Central Hall Westminster on September 6, 2018 in London, England. The evening will benefit three mental health charities 'Heroes', 'Combat Stress' and 'Heads Together'. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrives with her mother Doria Ragland (L) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 25: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives to open 'Oceania' at the Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London, England. 'Oceania' is the first-ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE Prince Harry and Meghan , The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with The Honorable Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia and his wife Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House during the 1st day of their visit 1st official royal visit and on the day that they announced they were having a baby 16 October 2018.Vantage News/IPx

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, talks to Australian Singer Missy Higgins, with her 9 week old baby Lunar, during a afternoon reception hosted by the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific.(Andrew Parsons/Pool via AP)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the This Girl Can campaign at Government House on October 18, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: (NO UK SALES FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Bondi beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

FRASER ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk along Kingfisher Bay Jetty during a visit to Fraser Island on October 22, 2018 on Fraser Island, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 23: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a state dinner hosted by the president of the South Pacific nation Jioji Konrote at the Grand Pacific Hotel on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on day nine of their 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Consular House in NukuÕalofa for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÕu on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 26: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho of Tonga on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards to present youth awards to honour the highest achievements in conservation and adventure at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney on October 26, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on day 11 of their 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by Paul Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry (2nd L) and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) are presented with a gift from a performer dressed as an Orc during a visit to Courtney Creative in Wellington on October 29, 2018. - Prince Harry passed on greetings from 'our little bump' to conservation workers in New Zealand on October 29 when he and pregnant wife Meghan toured a South Island nature reserve. (Photo by HAGEN HOPKINS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HAGEN HOPKINS/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a public walkabout at the Rotorua Government Gardens in Rotorua on October 31, 2018. - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three-week tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, left, and Prince Harry arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the National Service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice in London, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. The cessation of hostilities in WWI ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,1918. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 19 : (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends The Royal Variety Performance 2018 at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Hubb Community Kitchen to see how funds raised by the 'Together: Our Community Cookbook' are making a difference at Al Manaar, North Kensington on November 21, 2018 in London, England. Together: Our Community Cookbook features over 50 recipes from women whose community was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on stage during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images)

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According to the Daily Mail, Graves helps train midwives working at the exclusive Lindo Wing, which is where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to all three of her children and where Meghan is expected to give birth this spring.

It is also possible that Meghan's gestures are out of protectiveness. "'At public events, Meghan may feel more protective of her baby and thus cradle her bump more than usual," said Liz Halliday of Private Midwives to the Daily Mail.

"Mothers may feel that stroking their bump calms the baby in some situations and during public events Meghan may be either consciously or sub-consciously attempting to do this," she continued.